The 2022 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec is a powerful, traditionally built Clare Valley red that exemplifies Wendouree’s uncompromising, cellar-first philosophy. Produced by the iconic Wendouree, this wine is crafted for longevity and structure, prioritising savoury depth and tannin framework over early accessibility.
Sourced from low-yielding estate vineyards in the Clare Valley, the blend brings together Shiraz’s dark fruit intensity and spice with Malbec’s firm tannins, inky depth, and savoury grip. The region’s elevation, cool nights, and ironstone-rich soils contribute natural acidity and structural definition, hallmarks of Wendouree’s long-lived style. The 2022 vintage delivered balanced fruit with excellent concentration, reinforcing the wine’s serious, age-worthy profile.
Winemaking follows Wendouree’s famously traditional approach. Fermentation and extraction are managed to emphasise tannin structure and longevity, with maturation in seasoned oak to avoid overt wood influence. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its raw character and capacity for slow, authentic evolution in bottle.
In its youth, the wine is dense and tightly wound, showing aromas of blackberry, dark plum, and liquorice, layered with notes of earth, ironstone, dried herbs, and savoury spice. The palate is medium- to full-bodied and firmly structured, with pronounced tannins, deep savoury complexity, and a long, drying finish that clearly signals the need for extended cellaring.
While extended decanting will offer an early glimpse of its depth, the 2022 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec is best cellared and will reward patience over 15–25+ years, developing classic Wendouree tertiary characters of leather, earth, and savoury nuance.
A quintessential Wendouree release—robust, traditional, and unapologetically made for collectors who value provenance, discipline, and longevity.
